General consideration of people and nurse in enfant and adult living with epilepsy in Togo

Introduction: Epilepsy is particularly frequent in developing countries. It can be cured with effective drugs that are inexpensive and available. However, the therapeutic gap is still very high in these countries. In Togo, it is upper than 80%. Among that further situation, cultural practices are remarkable. Objective: To study the anthropological, cultural and psychosocial data on epilepsy in Togo. Materials and methods: We have realised a retrospective study on all the works done for 25 years, in epilepsy. The screens were based on knowledge, attitudes and practices towards epilepsy and the epileptic. The researches were done in 3 principal cultural areas of Togo and have concerned the "collective knowledge agents", the general population (1,668 with 50% that are illiterates) and the therapists (180). Results: Epilepsy is considered as a mystery, contagious and untreatable. This erroneous conception of epilepsy seems to explain the avoidance, throwing out and stigmatization of the epileptic. However, some rational aspects of the illness are well known: the several clinical forms, chronicity, curability and the disastrous role of alcohool. They were mentioned by the "collective knowledge agents" especially by the more literate participants. Those one have pointed out favourable attitudes and practices for a common undertaking of the epileptic. Conclusion: Togo doesn't slip out of folk erroneous beliefs concerning epilepsy. The attitudes and behaviours that derive from these beliefs can sometimes be harmful to the epileptic more than the illness itself.